Bayou Teche Scenic Byway: Activities Along the Way

Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, located in Southwest Louisiana, is one of the many scenic byways where tourist can see the real Louisiana. This scenic byway covers 125 miles and travels through 3 parishes: St. Mary, Iberia and St. Martin while following the Bayou Teche as it flows through Louisiana. While traveling this byway, tourists can expect to see moss draped live oak trees, some over 100 years old, over 100 historic properties, and many other attractions as well as passing through 2 different cultures, French Cajun and Anglo-Saxon.

Touring Louisiana, via the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, the tour begins in French Cajun Louisiana, in the Port Barre area, just north of the junction of Highway 190 and Highway 347 on Highway 31. After leaving Port Barre, travel to Cecilia to enjoy the buffet at the Old Poche Store. Breaux Bridge is the next location on the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. Here visitors can enjoy the LaPoussiere Cajun Music Landmark, where they can learn more about the music of Louisiana, then have the opportunity to step back in time while staying at the Bayou Teche Bed and Breakfast.

St. Martinville, the next location on the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, offers tourists the Longfellow-Evangeline State Commemorative Area, where visitors have the opportunity to see Spanish moss and very old live oak trees, then on to Lake Fausse Point State Park to discover what a swamp is really like up close. After spending time discovering the wildlife in this area, relax at the Maison Dimanche Bed and Breakfast.

A stop in Avery Island is always on the agenda when following the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. Here tourists will find the Jungle Gardens and Bird City, as well as the home of Tabasco. After spending time at these two attractions, continue on to Cypremort Point State Park to enjoy the water sports offered.

Rosary House, Shadow-on-the-Teche, and Conrad Rice Mill, all located in New Iberia are next on the list of attractions while traveling the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. Rosary House has the largest collection of rosary’s in the south, as well as other religious articles and artifacts. Shadow-on-the-Teche, an antebellum home, is property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and allows the visitor the opportunity to step back in time to the Plantation days. Conrad Rice Mill offers the tourist the opportunity to learn more about the production of rice as well as the history of the crop in Louisiana. Jeanerette Bicentennial Park and Museum, in Jeanerette is also near by. This park is a good place to spend a lazy afternoon before traveling further on the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway.

Charenton Heritage Museum and Chitimacha Museum located further south on the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway in Charenton. These establishments allow the visitor the opportunity to learn more about the history of this part of Louisiana.
Oaklawn Manor, located in Franklinton, and Grevemberg House Museum, located in St. Mary Parish, as well as Bocage, located in Centerville, allow the visitor to step back in history while touring an Antebellum home.

Wedell, Williams Aviation Museum, International Petroleum Museum and Exposition located in Patterson allow the visitor to discover the history of aviation in Louisiana as well as oil exploration. Another great stop on the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway.
The last stop on the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway is in Morgan City, where the Anglo-Saxon culture is alive and well. Here the tourist can enjoy the Cypress Manor and Brownell Memorial Park. Cypress Manor is a grand old house, furnished with period antiques. Brownell Memorial Park is a designated bird sanctuary and also the home to the Carillon Tower of bells.

For more information on any of these attractions located along the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, visit http://publications.neworleans.com/lalife/21.2.24-TravelerBayou.html or http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/2066/.